TM 9-1345-203-12
where incline is 60or less. After entering stream, they
(b) Choose area to be mined so as to
often travel up or downstream for a distance before
take greatest advantage of the characteristics of the
leaving it. Trail most likely to be followed by vehicles
stream and adjacent area. Water depth within minefield
fording stream can be predicted if careful examination is
should not exceed 3-1/2 feet, since deeper water is
made of natural formation along river banks and
difficult to work in and pressure actuated fuzes are
location of underwater obstacles is found.
usually ineffective against floating vehicles in water
(c) When planting mines in streams
deeper than 4 feet. Because of difficulty in maintaining
and rivers (figs. 2-50 and 2-51), personnel should
footage and balance in faster flowing water, current
always work in pairs, and preparation of the mines
velocity should not exceed 3 knots. If the site chosen
should be done on land as near to the emplacement site
has a mud bottom, the mud depth should not be greater
as possible.
than 18 inches and there should be a hard base
(d) All fuze threads and wells should be
underneath, since the enemy is unlikely to choose a
coated with silicone grease G-697, a waterproof
fording-point in which his vehicles can easily become
lubricant, a heavy grease, or the like, to minimize
mired. Avoid areas where gravel, rock, stumps, and the
chances of water leaking into mine and to ease fuze
like exceed mine size. If such areas are used, prepare
installation.
field so that mines and their fuzes will be exposed to
(e) For tactical requirements and
wheels or tracks or passing vehicles. Since sand in
recording of amphibiously emplaced M19 mines, refer to
inland waters is continuously moving downstream, it
FM 20-32.
may be difficult to locate and remove mines planted on
or downstream from sandbars. Armored vehicles are
most likely to enter and exit from streams at points
